Contractors Shopping Spree

3,600 licensed contractors lost all of their tools in the Camp Fire, but a foundation gave contractors the chance to re-start their businesses.

Posted: Feb. 8, 2019 6:23 PM

Posted By: Christina Vitale

CHICO, Calif - 3,600 licensed contractors lost all of their tools in the Camp Fire, but a foundation gave contractors the chance to re-start their businesses.

"This is a great start to rebuilding," David Clem, general contractor from Paradise said.

David and Rebecca Clem, lost everything in the Camp Fire.

Clem said what shocked him the most was how complete the devestation was.

"I went back thinking that maybe there would be some tools maybe at least some extension ladders or some of the more steel type of tools and they were just melted," he said.

Global Empowerment Mission and Paradise Adopt a Family joined forces and gave contractors their first batch of tools to get back on thier feet.

The North Valley Foundation provided a $20,000 grant for the event. Contractors were each given around $1,000 to spend on tools they needed.

"We have 30 different types of contrators here today from painters to janitors to landscape people to general contractors," Capponi said.

Global Empowerment Founder, Michael Capponi, said contractors are picked though an application process.

"On the Paradise Fire Adopt a Family page, and people apply and when we see they need tools then we call them up and we vet them and its really a first come first serve so hurry up and apply," Capponi said.

Clem said he's excited to back into his work and his business.

"Yeah thats the toughest thing is the lost of that's what i make a living with so that's been the hardest," Clem said.

Community members will gather tomorrow at the Terry Ashe Recreation Center on the Skyway in Paradise to talk about rebuilding.